It’s that time of year when garden centres come into their own. Whether you’re after colourful winter bedding plants for a hanging basket, a new evergreen shrub for the front garden, or simply a nice cup of tea and a scone, a visit to a horticultural haven is one of the nation’s best-loved trips out.
So, from Cumbria to Cardiff, Essex to Inverness, we’ve scoured the nation’s garden centres and rated their plant selections and coffee shops to bring you the very best in the UK.
1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree, Essex
Perrywood grows around a million of its own bedding, basket and vegetable plants every year
Surrounded by beautiful countryside with views over the Kelvedon valley, this independent garden centre was started by Mary and Les Bourne. The couple bought the land for Perrywood Nurseries in the 1950s, selling potatoes and pick-your-own strawberries. In 1983, their son Alan and his wife Karin took over and started selling plants, and their three children have since joined the business.
Plant selection: 9/10 – Perrywood grows around a million of its own bedding, basket and vegetable plants every year.
Houseplant selection: 8/10 – Houseplants are on offer to suit all conditions, with plenty of advice and imaginative displays.
Other items for sale: 9/10 – A wide selection of homewares and gifts. There is a compost drive-through, so if you are in a hurry you don’t even need to get out of your car.
Coffee shop: 8/10 – The coffee shop and restaurant serves a wide range of breakfasts, toasted paninis, hot meals and afternoon teas. It also has a separate Greenhouse Cafe.
Overall score: 8.5/10
2. Notcutts, Woodbridge, Suffolk
Notcutts was founded in Woodbridge in 1897, and five generations on the family now oversee 19 garden centres around the UK
In 1897 Roger Crompton Notcutt founded a nursery in Woodbridge. When he and his son died tragically young in 1938, his widow Maud took over and became such a force that she even had a white lilac named after her, Syringa vulgaris ‘Maud Notcutt’. It was her grandson Charles who turned Notcutts into a destination garden centre. The fifth generation of the family now oversee 19 garden centres around the UK.
Plant selection: 9/10 – There’s a wide range of perennials, shrubs, vegetables and bedding, and the centre offers a lifetime guarantee on all hardy plants.
Houseplant selection: 8/10 – A good selection of plants on offer, including those grown for foliage and flowers, as well as cacti and succulents.
Other items for sale: 8/10 – Indoor and outdoor furniture, as well as home decor and gifts.
Coffee shop: 8/10 – A light, airy space with comfortable seating. Good value for money.
Overall score: 8/10
3. Ruxley Manor, Sidcup, Kent
Ruxley Manor was last year named the third best garden centre in the UK and, below, the Mulberry Tree restaurant serves plenty of warming winter dishes
In 2023, Ruxley Manor was named the third best garden centre in the UK, and it gets many five-star reviews from its customers. It dates back to 1876, when Henry Evans started growing plants for Covent Garden. The garden centre was founded in 1964 by Richard Evans, who is the current director.
Plant selection: 9/10 – Ruxley sells a wide variety of plants, trees and shrubs, sourced from reputable UK growers. It also offers a five-year hardy plant guarantee.
Houseplant selection: 8/10 – Indoor trees, indoor palms, succulents and cacti, as well as a wide range of houseplants from air-purifying monstera to tumbling string-of-pearls, as well as lots of accessories for growing inside.
Other items for sale: 8/10 – From outdoor heating and lighting to cutesy model Halloween and Christmas villages.
Coffee shop: 9/10 – The Mulberry Tree restaurant serves warming winter dishes and festive ice creams from gingerbread and butterscotch to dark chocolate orange.
Overall score: 8.5/10
4. Merriments, East Sussex
Merriments, which started as a nursery in 1989, is known for its new and unusual plants, which it sells in pink pots
The garden centre began life in 1989 when Peggy Weeks and her children David and Mandy and son-in-law Mark Buchele, a close friend of Christopher Lloyd at nearby Great Dixter, opened a nursery and retail plant centre. In 1992, they turned the four-acre field next to the nursery into a garden showcasing their plants. Following the sad early loss of Mandy and Mark, Merriments was bought in 2017 by Lucy Cross who continues to run it as a family business.
Plant selection: 9/10 – Merriments is known for its new and unusual plants. It grows many of its own, which are sold in pink pots, as well as drought-tolerant plants in purple pots.
Other items for sale: 7/10 – A carefully curated selection of toiletries, gifts and cards.
Coffee shop: 9/10 – The licensed restaurant serves fresh seasonal and local ingredients for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.
Overall score: 8/10
5. Haskins Snowhill, Copthorne, West Sussex
Snowhill was opened in 2020, in Copthorne, West Sussex, and is powered by solar energy
The Haskins family have been involved in horticulture since 1882 when Harry Haskins opened a plant nursery in Poole, Dorset. Today his great-grandson Warren Haskins is chairman of the Haskins group of garden centres. In 2020, it opened a new flagship garden centre, Snowhill at Copthorne in West Sussex, powered by solar energy with a dedicated plant advice station.
Plant selection: 8/10 – A huge array of plants presented in beautiful displays that make you want to buy everything in sight.
Houseplant selection: 8/10 – Architectural houseplants are displayed around furniture sparking ideas for indoor greenery.
Other items for sale: 9/10 – A new Lakeland store opened as part of the centre in November 2023, alongside lots of top indoor and outdoor brands.
Coffee shop: 9/10 – Expect a perfect latte as restaurant supervisor Adam Kelly recently won the regional heats of Costa Coffee UK’s Barista of the Year competition.
Overall score: 8.5/10
6. Hillier Garden Centre, Winchester, Hampshire
Hillier has been growing top quality plants for 150 years, and it now produces one million of its own plants, shrubs, and trees sustainably every year
The first Hillier Garden Centre to be opened on a site purchased by Edwin Hillier in 1874, just outside the historic centre of Winchester. Hillier has been growing top quality plants for 150 years.
Plant selection: 10/10 – Hillier Nurseries based at nearby Romsey in Hampshire grows more than one million of its own plants, shrubs, and trees sustainably every year.
Houseplant selection: 8/10 – There is a dedicated houseplant section.
Other items for sale: 8/10 – A traditional range of toiletries, stationery and food for the store cupboard, as well as garden tools and homeware.
Coffee shop: 8/10 – The Mulberry & Thyme restaurant serves fresh food, tea, and coffee all day long.
Overall score: 9/10
7. Clifton Nurseries, Maida Vale, London
London’s oldest garden centre Clifton Nurseries has been delighting customers in the capital since 1851
London’s oldest garden centre has been delighting customers in the capital since 1851. Situated in the heart of Maida Vale, it is a green oasis in a bustling city.
Plant selection: 9/10 – Top notch plants and trees ideally suited to the smart town garden.
Houseplant selection: 9/10 – Clifton Nurseries prides itself on its houseplant offering, located in its Glasshouse.
Other items for sale: 8/10 – Plenty of stylish garden and houseplant accessories.
Coffee shop: 9/10 – The Glasshouse cafe offers cakes, salads, and savouries as well as hot and cold drinks on Mondays and Tuesdays and freshly made lunch and brunch dishes the rest of the week.
Overall score: 9/10
8. Petersham Nurseries, Richmond
Customers enjoy food and drink in the dining rooms at the upmarket garden centre in Surrey
The greenhouse cafe at Petersham Nurseries in Richmond, west London, and below, the entrance to the garden centre
This chic garden centre was born in 1997 when Gael and Francesco Boglione moved from central London to Petersham House in Richmond with their four children and took over a plant nursery in the grounds. Under their daughter Lara, Petersham has expanded and become a byword for luxury gardening.
Plant selection: 9/10 – In autumn expect herbaceous perennials and David Austin roses, followed by spring bulbs and cottage garden favourites.
Houseplant selection: 8/10 – From Streptocarpus to ferns to scented pelargoniums, they sell all the plants you need for lush interiors.
Other items for sale: 9/10 – As well as garden accessories, they run workshops on table decoration and making seasonal wreaths.
Restaurant: 10/10 – Serving seasonal food from its own kitchen garden, the Petersham Nurseries Restaurant has been awarded a Michelin Green Star for its commitment to sustainability.
Overall score: 9/10
9. Burford Garden Centre, Oxfordshire
Chosen for their quality, plants at Burford Garden Centre come with a high price tag
This independent family-run garden centre nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds since 1976 prides itself on its creative displays including Little Burford designed especially for children’s things. These are always changing making for an enjoyable day out.
Plants: 9/10 – A wide selection of garden plants to suit the season.
Houseplants: 8/10 – Chosen for their quality, these plants come with a high price tag.
Other items for sale: 9/10 – Gardening accessories, clothes and interior items for sale are individually selected and a cut above the average.
Coffee shop: 9/10 – The award-winning cafe serves home-cooked seasonal food seven days a week.
Overall score: 9/10
10. Bournville Garden Centre, Birmingham
The Bournville Garden Centre is the smallest of the British Garden Centres chain but it has a rich history
Situated in the Bournville Village Trust near the 500-year-old Selly Manor, on a site set up by Cadbury to encourage employees to grow vegetables, this is the smallest of the British Garden Centres chain but has a rich history. It remains plant focused but manages to pack in a diverse range of plants and accessories.
Plant selection: 8/10 – Like all British Garden Centres, there is a wide range of plants divided into handy sections including ‘Shrubbery’, ‘Rockery’ and ‘Edibles’.
Houseplant selection: 8/10 – Wellbeing is the focus of the indoor plants and containers on offer.
Other items for sale: 7/10 – Home, gifts and pets are all catered for alongside gardening clobber.
Coffee shop: 8/10 – A cosy traditional café serving hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, and hot meals.
Overall score: 8/10
11. Bridgemere Garden Centre, Nantwich
The centre, one of the biggest in the UK, has six acres of gardens, a shopping village and two restaurants
There are over 3,000 varieties of plant on offer to suit all tastes, including Fryer’s Roses, and below, a display of tulips at the centre
With 1.8 million visitors annually, this is one of Britain’s biggest garden centres. The centre has six acres of gardens, a shopping village and two restaurants so there is plenty to enjoy on a day out. Founded by John Ravenscroft 40 years ago, it is now owned by Blue Diamond Garden Centres.
Plant selection: 9/10 – There are over 3,000 varieties of plant on offer to suit all tastes, including Fryer’s Roses.
Houseplant selection: 9/10 – One of the largest planterias in the UK with houseplants galore.
Other items for sale: 8/10 – An entire shopping village with areas dedicated to outdoor living, fashion, home décor and books and cards.
Restaurants: 8/10 – Choose between the Parlour Restaurant and the Origins Patisserie.
Overall score: 8/10
12. Bents Garden & Home, Warrington
Bents has been named the UK’s Best Destination Garden Centre eight times, and it has an entire retail village including a pet shop, a children’s boutique and a cook shop
The centre has grown to an enormous retail offering since the family-run business was started in 1937
This family-run business started in 1937 when Alfred and Margaret Bent started cultivating roses in Glazebury, Cheshire. It has now grown to an enormous retail offering which has been named the UK’s Best Destination Garden Centre eight times.
Plant selection: 9/10 – There are myriad plants on offer inside the Open Skies Glasshouse and outside area.
Houseplant selection: 8/10 – A dedicated houseplant section.
Other items for sale: 9/10 – An entire retail village including a pet shop, a children’s boutique, and a cook shop.
Restaurants: 9/10 – There are no fewer than seven different eating options from breakfast in the Fresh Approach Restaurant to a pet-friendly café and tapas.
Overall score: 9/10
13. Barton Grange, Preston
Barton Grange offers something for every garden situation, and it has a separate nursery just for growing houseplants and bedding plants, below
This huge garden centre in Lancashire opened its doors in 2008 and has been named Destination Garden Centre of the Year multiple times. Its history began 70 years ago when Edward and Ada Topping bought a small mansion in Barton and turned it into a hotel. Their son Eddie trained as a horticulturist and in 1963 opened the North West’s first-ever garden centre.
Plant selection: 9/10 – With some three million plants growing at any one time at its nearby propagation unit, Barton Grange offers something for every garden.
Houseplant selection: 9/10 – The centre has a separate nursery just for growing houseplants and bedding plants.
Other items for sale: 8/10 – With a cookshop, farm shop and Christmas shop there are plenty of options for shoppers.
Coffee shop: 8/10 – Choose between the Riverside Café and the Willow Restaurant for freshly cooked, seasonal dishes.
Overall score: 8.5/10
14. Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne, Derbyshire
This family-run business was started in 1998 at Hollies Farm with one glasshouse and a small plant area, it has since grown and now has a wood clad home department, too
Named UK Garden Centre of the Year in 2023, this family-run business was started in 1998 at Hollies Farm with one glasshouse and a small plant area. It has continued to grow ever since and recently underwent a complete redevelopment.
Plant selection: 8/10 – Sells a wide-range of British-grown plants with a two-year guarantee.
Other items for sale: 9/10 – The Fairways Home department is in a wood clad building next to the garden centre, selling oak furniture, kitchen clocks and decorative accessories.
Coffee shop: 9/10 – Enjoy stunning views of rural Derbyshire from the Garden Room Restaurant, which serves homemade food, locally sourced where possible.
Overall score: 9/10
15. Tong Garden Centre, West Yorkshire
Tong is one of a group of four independently owned garden centres in West Yorkshire, which sells bedding plants, hardy trees and shrubs and container plants
Nestled between Leeds and Bradford, Tong is one of a group of four independently owned garden centres in West Yorkshire. It was founded in 1984 but had lost its way and needed a change of direction when Tom Megginson and Mark Farnsworth took it over in 2015 and invested £7m into the business.
Plant selection: 8/10 – Bedding plants, hardy trees and shrubs and container plants.
Houseplant selection: 8/10 – There is a dedicated houseplant area with a team of experts on hand.
Other items for sale: 8/10 – Visit the Grasshoppers Children’s Play Area or the Hearty’s Food Hall where you will find edible goodies from the ‘Heartisans’.
Coffee shop: 9/10 – Choose between homemade pies, the famous carvery sandwich and scones with jam and fresh cream in Bloom’s Kitchen, or afternoon tea and light bites in the licensed Mezzanine Restaurant.
Overall score: 8/10
16. Cowell’s Garden Centre, Newcastle
Cowell’s Garden Centre is dog-friendly and it offers high quality and unusual plants with a two-year guarantee
Winner of Garden Centre of the Year in 2023, this family-run business was established in 1978 on the outskirts of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. It is dog-friendly and offers expert horticultural advice.
Plant selection: 9/10 – Being independently owned means Cowells can source high quality and unusual plants with a two-year guarantee.
Houseplant selection: 8/10 – A comprehensive selection of houseplants including orchids, succulents, and cacti.
Other items for sale: 8/10 – A good selection of garden and plant related accessories. It also runs workshops covering pumpkin flowers, terrariums, and Christmas table decorations.
Coffee shop: None.
Overall score: 8/10
17. Hayes Garden World, Cumbria
Hayes Garden World garden centre in Ambleside, Cumbria with what is referred to locally as the ‘crystal palace’ extension
This is the largest garden centre in the North West, and it dates back to the early 19th century
Based in beautiful Ambleside, this is the largest garden centre in the Northwest. Its history dates back 200 years to when the Hayes brothers established a gardening business in the early 19th century. Another brother was a neighbour of William Wordsworth! In 1987 it opened its renowned ‘Crystal Palace’ glasshouse.
Plant selection: 9/10 – A huge variety of plants on offer against a stunning backdrop.
Houseplant selection: 8/10 – A dedicated houseplant area offers expert advice.
Other items for sale: 8/10 – Specialises in garden furniture, as well as outdoor clothing and accessories.
Coffee shop: 8/10 – The Four Seasons Terrace Café serves breakfast and lunch, closing one hour before the garden centre.
Overall score: 8/10
18. Pugh’s Garden Village, Cardiff
As part of their commitment to sustainability, Pugh’s grow all their own plants at their nursery in Caerphilly to lower their carbon footprint
There is plenty on offer alongside Pugh’s plants, including The Watering Can Coffee Shop, which offers light lunches, teas and coffees, and sweet treats.
It all began with Sydney Pugh who moved from Hereford to Cardiff in the 1920s and set up a nursery. In the 1960s, his son Colin moved the business to the foothills of Castell Coch in North Cardiff which soon became popular with locals. They have since added another centre in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Plant selection: 10/10 – As part of their commitment to sustainability, Pugh’s grow all their own plants at their nursery in Caerphilly to lower their carbon footprint.
Houseplant selection: 8/10 – From architectural monsteras to peace lilies, cyclamen, and ferns.
Other items for sale: 9/10 – Books, health foods, pet products – there’s even a separate barbers on site, so there is plenty on offer at Pugh’s alongside plants.
Coffee shop: 8/10 – The Watering Can Coffee Shop offers light lunches, teas and coffees, and sweet treats.
Overall score: 9/10
19. The Old Railway Line, Brecon, Powys
This award-winning garden centre is now a top destination. The Railway Restaurant, below, serves a roast every Thursday and Sunday, while the tearoom offers light bites
Set up by Mark and Christina Cleary on the site of the old Brecon to Hereford Branch of the Midland Railway in 1990, this award-winning garden centre is now a top destination. In 2012, David Domoney opened a major new redevelopment with farm shop and restaurant.
Plant selection: 9/10 – The majority of plants are British grown in Wales or the Midlands and come with a five-year guarantee.
Houseplant selection: 8/10 – The dedicated houseplant department caters to novice and experienced indoor gardeners, with pots and accessories as well.
Other items for sale: 8/10 – There’s a good range of outdoor living, gifts, and homeware.
Coffee shop: 8/10 – The Railway Restaurant serves a roast every Thursday and Sunday, while the dog-friendly tearoom offers light bites and afternoon tea.
Overall score: 8/10
20. Caulders Mugdock, Milngavie, Glasgow
Mugdock is built around the old potting sheds and outbuilding of the Victorian walled garden of Craigend Castle. Below, its coffee shop uses as much fresh Scottish produce as possible
One of the most picturesque garden centres in Scotland, Caulders Mugdock is built around the old potting sheds and outbuilding of the Victorian walled garden of Craigend Castle in Mugdock Country Park. Surrounded by beautiful scenery, it makes for the perfect day out.
Plant selection: 8/10 – As part of its commitment to the environment, Caulders Mugdock waters all its plants with rainwater.
Other items for sale: 8/10 – Although it started off as a plant centre, Caulders Mugdock now has a wide range of gifts and homeware.
Coffee shop: 9/10 – Caulders uses as much fresh Scottish produce as possible, and all its meat comes from farms in the West of Scotland.
Overall score: 8/10
21. Simpsons, Inverness
The Simpsons centre selects plants with the challenges of gardening in the Highlands in mind
Located in the heart of the Highlands and established in 2000, Simpsons was named as one of the top ten UK garden centres in 2023. Simpsons Inverness is the flagship store with stunning views over the city and the Black Isle and it recently opened an Aberdeenshire branch as well.
Plant selection: 9/10 – Plants are selected with the challenges of gardening in the Highlands in mind.
Houseplant selection: 8/10 – A good selection in-store.
Other items for sale: 8/10 – With a florist’s, indoor furniture department and sheds and summer houses outside, there is plenty on offer.
Coffee shop: 9/10 – The Glasshouse Restaurant uses seasonal produce from local suppliers and the bakers make their famous scones fresh each day.
Overall score: 8.5/10
22. Monkton Elm, Taunton, Somerset
Monkton Elm started out as a successful tomato nursery, and its restaurant The Elm Tree serves an ‘Ocean’ menu, including Southwest mussels and catch of the day
This independent, family-run business started out as a successful tomato nursery run by David and Luella Bellman. Over the past 40 years, it has grown into an award-winning garden centre catering for all the local community’s home and gardening needs.
Plant selection: 9/10 – Being independent means Monkton Elm can source more unusual plants. Its rose specialist Daniel Welch has been working with roses for 25 years.
Houseplant selection: 9/10 – A wide-range of houseplants from orchids to calathea.
Other items for sale: 8/10 – Everything you need for outdoor living plus a pet centre and farm shop.
Coffee shop: 9/10 – The Elm Tree restaurant serves several hot breakfast options as well as an ‘Ocean’ menu including Southwest mussels and catch of the day.
Overall score: 9/10
23. Otter Garden Centres, Ottery Saint Mary, Devon
Otter Garden Centre supports local community events, such as the Ottery Saint Mary Food Festival, and it stocks many unusual plants
The first and largest in a chain of seven garden centres across the Southwest started out as Otter Nurseries in 1964. It offers a full day out and supports local community events such as the Ottery Saint Mary Food Festival.
Plant selection: 9/10 – Specialises in hellebores grown by its own team of experts, alongside other herbaceous plants, shrubs, and spring bulbs.
Houseplant selection: 8/10 – Stocks many unusual plants from tropical to Mediterranean species.
Other items for sale: 7/10 – As well as gardening accessories, sells toys, gifts, clothing, and pet essentials.
Coffee shop: 8/10 – A family-friendly coffee shop serving homemade food, roasts, and a wide selection of cakes.
Overall score: 8/10
24. Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, Lostwithiel, Cornwall
The King and Queen attend a reception at the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery in Lostwithiel, Cornwall
The centre was started to sell plants to the public in 1974, and it now offers a bumble bee garden, a play garden and walks around the ruins of an ancient castle
Located at the heart of the Duchy of Cornwall estate, created by Edward III in 1337 to provide independence to his heir, the Nursery, originally a slate quarry, began producing forest trees in the 1960s. It started to sell plants to the public in 1974, and offers a bumble bee garden, a play garden and walks around the ruins of an ancient castle.
Plant selection: 9/10 – The Duchy has made a series of helpful leaflets to explain the plants it sells including coastal, roses, citrus, and ornamental trees.
Houseplant selection: 9/10 – The beautiful Glasshouse gives inspiration on how to style the plants it sells at home.
Other items for sale: 10/10 – The elegant shop focuses on high quality and natural textures.
Coffee shop: 10/10 – Enjoy an afternoon tea fit for royalty in The Orangery Restaurant or views of Restormal Castle from the café.
Overall score: 9.5/10
(duchyofcornwallnursery.co.uk)
25. Coleman’s Garden Centre, Templepatrick, Northern Ireland
As well as the plant centre, and a wide range of outdoor living products, there is an award-winning farm shop with its own butchers and deli counter, and a cafe that serves afternoon tea
Easily accessible from anywhere in Northern Ireland, Coleman’s Garden Centre has been at the heart of the community for 60 years.
Plant selection: 8/10 – Good range of garden plants.
Other items for sale: 9/10 – As well as the plant centre, and a wide range of outdoor living products, there is an award-winning farm shop with its own butchers and deli counter.
Coffee shop: 8/10 – The café serves afternoon tea, with a special version for children.
Overall score: 8/10